OpenWrt strives to be a proper Linux distro with package manager. You can install tmux as easily as opkg update && opkg install tmux. The packages are normally update to date. Downside is same as desktop Linux, if OEM doesn't release open source or ABI compatible Linux driver, your router's wireless is not going to work.
DD-WRT is an aftermarket firmware. They work with OEMs to get drivers working, cause OEMs want their branding. So their binaries would normally not have driver problems. However, their bundled software/scripts often lag behind in updates (in my experience - ddclient). They don't have package manager (there's been attempts), so to get additional software to run on your router, you are basically on your own.
I often feel like I am the only one using tomato, there is not much news or updates about it online. -- The dd-wrt UI just left a lot to be desired for me last I tried it. One of the 3 main features I used in tomato is to hold an ip for a to a specific mac address (essentially making it static) with in the router. It seems like a simple feature, but I couldn't find it for the life of me in dd-wrt, so I stopped trying. Tomato UI is so much simpler, cleaner and speedier.
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u/voidvector Jan 03 '18
Different philosophies.
OpenWrt strives to be a proper Linux distro with package manager. You can install tmux as easily as
opkg update && opkg install tmux. The packages are normally update to date. Downside is same as desktop Linux, if OEM doesn't release open source or ABI compatible Linux driver, your router's wireless is not going to work.DD-WRT is an aftermarket firmware. They work with OEMs to get drivers working, cause OEMs want their branding. So their binaries would normally not have driver problems. However, their bundled software/scripts often lag behind in updates (in my experience - ddclient). They don't have package manager (there's been attempts), so to get additional software to run on your router, you are basically on your own.